ORCHARD PARK — Matt Prater’s journey to Buffalo started with a redeye flight from Phoenix that landed at 6 a.m. Thursday. It ended on teammates’ shoulders after a game-winning kick.

When Prater got the call to sign with the Bills, he was writing practice plans for his son’s team in the 9- and 10-year-old division in the San Tan Youth Football League. He signed to the practice squad as an insurance policy for kicker Tyler Bass, who was placed on injured reserve the following day with a lingering left hip/groin injury.

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Nick Sabato can be reached via email at nick.sabato@gnnewspaper.com, on X @NickSabatoGNN or on Bluesky @nicksabatognn.bsky.social.